Mrs. Nagel 1897

Anders Zorn created the etching "Mrs. Nagel" in Sweden, likely at the end of the 19th century. Through the etching, Zorn not only captured the likeness of Mrs. Nagel, but also subtly commented on the societal role of women in his time. In the portrait, Mrs. Nagel is depicted in a pose that suggests both elegance and restraint. Her gaze is averted, perhaps indicative of the limited agency women had within the social structures of the time. This image reflects the social norms that often confined women to specific roles. To understand this artwork better, one might research the social dynamics of 19th-century Sweden, paying attention to the roles and expectations placed upon women. We need to consider the institutional and social structures that shaped both the artist's perspective and the subject's position in society.